The four crosses atop the towers of the former St. Boniface Church will likely continue to watch over the West Town neighborhood, as plans to redevelop the church building are expected to move forward this year. Developers plan to transform the rest of the historic building, much damaged by vandals and exposure to the elements, into a senior living center, while leaving the iconic towers. The parish, founded in 1864 to serve the German population of West Town, was shuttered in 1990. Over the years, the archdiocese more than once has announced plans to raze the structure because it could not afford to maintain the vacant building which was becoming a hazard. In 2003, the archdiocese announced plans for a design competition to come up with a plan for the site, but none of the submissions were deemed feasible. The archdiocese applied for a demolition permit in December 2008. The convent was demolished in 1994 and the school in 2003, although the school’s façade was dismantled and put into storage. That action put the 1904 church building on Preservation Chicago’s list of seven most endangered historic buildings. Community groups have argued for the preservation of the Romanesque building, designed by noted church architect Henry Schlacks, since its closure. Ideas for several alternative uses were floated, but none came to fruition. The building became the subject of a Facebook page and other efforts to publicize its jeopardy. After the demolition permit was issued however, the actual work was delayed while the archdiocese tried one last time to find a developer who would at least save the façade. In September, the archdiocese struck a deal with the city and IPM-Amicus — the Oak Brook-based developer who plans to move forward on the project. Under the proposal, the archdiocese reportedly would lease St. Boniface to the city, in return for a lease on the vacant Byrd Community Academy.